Ionia County road millage narrowly defeated

Wednesday

Aug 6, 2014 at 10:11 PMAug 6, 2014 at 10:11 PM

Here's a look at who voted and how

Karen Botakaren.bota@sentinel-standard.com

A disappointed Bill Weisgerber thanked "yes" voters Wednesday after the proposed millage to fix county roads, bridges and culverts failed in a close race Tuesday."The voters have spoken and we must abide by their decision," said Weisgerber, who is chair of the road commission board. "We will do the best we can with what we have, however the need is still there and roads will not improve."The 2 mills would have raised $18.6 million of additional revenue over six years for roads and bridges across the county. The road commission would have had $12 million for repair and construction on primary roads with the rest going by statute to local cities and villages for their roads."Replacement of, or even improvement of, our existing road system will have to wait until appropriate resources are made available," Weisgerber said. "We hope that the citizens of Ionia will continue to patiently deal with road conditions as they are as we continue to try to keep the roads maintained as best we can.He thanked road commission staff for "their extra efforts in dealing with bad winter weather and floods with wash outs."Weisgerber said he questioned whether everyone who voted Tuesday turned their ballot over to vote on the county road millage, which was printed on the ballot's flip side. While 6,650 voters cast ballots, 6,138 votes were cast on the county millage question. Ionia County Clerk Tonda Rich said that "could be an explanation" for the difference of 512 votes.The millage passed in Boston Township Precinct 1 (58.10%), Campbell Township (56.11%), Easton Township Precinct 1 (52.75%), Keene Township (55.09%), Lyons Township Precinct 2 (68.10), Odessa Township Precinct 1 (56.99%), Odessa Township Precinct 2 (58.74%), Orange Township (57.42%), City of Belding Precinct 2 (53.33%), City of Ionia Precincts 1-4 (60.78%, 54.17%, 53.27%, 51.89%, respectively), City of Portland Precinct 1 (54.79%), and City of Portland Precinct 2 (52.24%).The following is a look at the county road millage vote "by the numbers."By the numbers15 — The number of precincts where the millage passed16 — The number of precincts where the millage failed56 — The number of votes the road millage failed by6,650 — Total ballots cast in Tuesday's primary election15.57 — The percent of voter turnout county-wide7.43 — The lowest percent of voter turnout (City of Ionia Precinct 2)22.58 — The highest percent of voter turnout (Boston Township Precinct 1)3,041 — Number of yes votes for the road millage3,097 — Number of no votes for the road millage49.54 — Percent of yes votes on the road millage50.46 — Percent of no votes on the road millage512 — The difference between total yes and no votes on the millage and the number of total ballots cast in the primary68.10 — The highest percent of yes votes (Lyons Township Precinct 2)72.28 — The highest number of no votes (North Plains Township)6,138 — Total votes cast for or against the millage1 — The number of precincts where the vote was split 50-50, 158 yes votes, 158 no votes (Ionia Township)